Instructors
(5)

Liz Heffernan

Liz Heffernan, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT is an international yoga teacher and Integrative Yoga Therapist. She draws from over two decades of personal yoga practice, 22 years of teaching and extensive training in the Hatha yoga systems of Kripalu, Ashtanga, and Anusara. She currently directs and leads Yoga teacher trainings and workshops worldwide, provides unique one-to-one mentoring for yoga teachers, instructs daily yoga classes and offers private therapeutic sessions. Additionally, Liz serves as a mentor/faculty for the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy Professional Yoga Therapy program.

Molly Masaoka

Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500

Innately perceptive beyond her years and wildly passionate about everything in her path, Molly applies a level of determination and delight that is truly one of a kind. Her unique teaching style is both intense and focused but lightened with creativity, compassion, and humor. She believes that this balance of effort and surrender is the key to unlocking the awareness of one's true nature. A student of yoga since the age of 16, Molly has studied intensely with Chuck Miller and completed teacher training with Annie Carpenter and Don Stapelton.

Peggy Profant

Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500

Peggy Profant, E-RYT 500, and certified Anusara yoga teacher is on a lifelong path of yoga and taking its insightful teachings into all areas of her life. She first discovered the practice in 1980 and began teaching it to others in 1997. Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Anusara are the schools in which have influenced her practice. As one who lives courageously from her heart, she passionately teaches her classes with meaningful yogic themes while keeping a keen attention to alignment. In addition to yoga, being in nature and with her family is where she finds her deepest joy and peace.

Amanda Webster

Yoga Alliance E-RYT 200

Amanda Webster is a registered yoga teacher and Certified Ayurveda Counselor, through the American Institute of Vedic Studies. Amanda found her calling as a yoga teacher and Ayurveda-based lifestyle counselor over five years ago. She currently offers Ayurveda-infused yoga classes, workshops, and retreats as well as facilitates teacher trainings that focus on establishing commitment to the lifestyle practices of yoga and Ayurveda, creating an open and supportive community, and studying mindfulness in its many forms. Amanda considers Kripalu-trained yogini Rupali Embry as her “true teacher”.

Samantha Akers

CAMTC

Samantha (Sam) Akers, E-RYT-500, C-IAYT, CMT, found yoga and massage when she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia in 1998. Her practice began with Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra and brought her such incredible healing, she knew this had to be shared with others. She studied the Therapeutic Style of Iyengar Yoga with Judith Lasater, Leeann Carey and Russ Pfeiffer. Sam's love of therapeutic yoga, inspired her to open TheraYoga Studio and develop the TheraYoga Method. She is also a massage therapist, specializing in combining mindfulness with bodywork.

Reviews
(16)

Madison Fowler

from United States,
September 2018

"The perfect transition from student to teacher! "

Overall this program went above and beyond my expectations. Liz and Molly were exemplary teachers with such a profound wealth of knowledge and experience! The most useful aspect was the complete immersion into the teaching. It wasn’t just learning, it was hands-on experience as well as actual teaching experience. It can be extremely overwhelming to even stand in front of a group of people. However, they have designed a program that provides you with a wealth of information, understanding, and experience to ease you into the instructors position. It was the perfect transition from yoga student, into yoga instructor! -Madison

Aurélie Azazga

from Belgium,
August 2018

"A life-changing experience "

My 200 hours YTT with Soma Institute was beyond my expectations. The program gave me a deeper knowledge of yoga, both theoretical and practical.

I particularly appreciated the focus on alignement, the poses study and the introduction to work therapeutically with yoga. Liz underlined the fact that each body is unique and that we need to take that in consideration during each yoga class.

The sequencing part was also very useful. After each yoga class, we took the time to analyze the sequence. We learned how to create our own sequence and how to teach it.

Beside alignement, sequencing and the art of teaching, we had an really good introduction on meditation, chanting, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, pranayama and the energy body.

Liz and Molly are two authentic teachers that love sharing their passion for yoga with their students. They are very complimentary and form a perfect duo.

From the first day, the atmosphere in the group was very pleasant, trustful and fun. I felt like a member of a loving community very quickly.

The program is designed in a way that you learn a lot everyday without even realize it (I taught my first sun salutation after only two 2 days). It impacted my personal practice and changed my perspective on teaching yoga. Today, I’m feeling confident to teach really soon my first Vinyasa or Restorative yoga class.

After attending this YTT, nothing’s changed, but everything has changed for me.

Elizabeth DeAngelo

from United States,
August 2018

"Life-Changing Experience"

Learning from Liz and Molly was fantastic. They both brought such different gifts to share with the class and worked seamlessly together to create a challenging yet enjoyable curriculum. The location was absolutely stunning, and our eighteen days flew by. My understanding of Yoga deepened considerably. I’m excited to go forth and share what I know while constantly learning more. Also, this training taught me the importance of having a personal practice, which I believe will continue to impact my life in a profound way. I definitely recommend this program and can't thank Liz and Molly enough!

Darla Chenin

from United States,
August 2018

"Full of love and life long friendships "

Coming to this yoga teacher training was one of the best decisions of my life. I really enjoyed and appreciated the dedication and love poured into the training. Not only did I learn tools for practicing and teaching, I learned tools to incorporate into all aspects of my life. I loved learning about the philosophy of yoga, and although my understanding is much deeper, I have the passion to learn more and deepen my understanding. I also really appreciated the focus on alignment and safety. By the end of the training I gained so much confidence and love for teaching. I loved sharing my journey and watching all the other students grow. This program was amazing!

Thank you so much Liz and Molly! I hope to see you in the future for 300 hour training!

Megan Goldberg

from United States,
April 2018

"Everything and more!"

This YTT was one of the most incredible experiences of my life - I literally liked every, single, thing. Since I had only been practicing yoga for one year, this experience was a game changer for me. It not only enhanced my personal practice and knowledge, it has prepared me to teach - and right away, no less. I absolutely loved everything about the program.

The two instructors (Liz and Molly) were beyond knowledgeable, enjoyable, attentive to the array of students they had, and fun! The coursework was incredible - I can't believe how much I didn't know about yoga. Now I feel confident about alignment principles, vinyasa techniques, asana fundamentals, chanting, pranayama, meditation techniques, how to sequence, how to teach, the history of yoga, anatomy & physiology, ethics when teaching, and the icing on the cake - the business of yoga. The yoga classes throughout the program were insanely good - we literally took next level yoga classes to understand the art of vinyasa sequencing, yin, restorative, senior, beginner, and therapeutic yoga. The therapeutics and restorative coursework was invaluable as I now understand ways to help my family and friends feel better and live healthier lives.

Last, but certainly not least, the Kalani Oceanside Retreat accommodation was beyond. Doing a YTT on the big island of Hawaii, in a rain forest, next to the ocean, only a few miles away from an active volcano was EVERYTHING!

Jessica Card

from Canada,
February 2018

"Great Experience! Highly Recommended!"

Liz and Peggy were extremely positive and energetic. They are very knowledgeable and eager to share their love of yoga. Their style of yoga and background were exactly what I was looking for (I thoroughly researched various schools and instructors before deciding this course might be the best fit for me).

Although I felt info overload after the first 3 days (it is an intensive afterall), their constant reassurance and ability to put it to practice during the rest of the course made it stick. By the end of the course, I felt capable of building on the principles I had learned and teaching my own yoga classes. I loved all the people I met best of all! It really was a supportive and engaging community and team learning environment. Travelling in the area was easy and felt safe this time of year (January and I speak Spanish).

Alyssa Martinez

from United States,
January 2018

" Amazing experience"

I loved everything. The people i met was the most amazing part of this trip

Betty Peel

from United States,
January 2018

"Amazing!"

The total immersion experience was the key to this YTT. Liz and Peggy are such knowledgeable and caring instructors who were very aware of and responsive to group and individual needs. This experience created an awareness that yoga is so much more than practicing asanas (although that was fun, too!). The rainforest setting, delicious food, and wonderful group made for a totally moving and memorable experience; I can't imagine completing my yoga teacher training any better way.

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